Containers and Container Assemblies

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to containers for storing and shipping food and, more particularly, pertains to nesting containers and container assemblies. According to one embodiment, a container assembly includes an outer container and an inner container. The outer container includes an outer container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base. The outer container wall transitions into a ledge extending outwardly from the outer container wall. The inner container includes an inner container wall extending from an inner container base and transitioning into a support flange. When the container assembly is assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removably nested within the outer container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/063,891, filed on Feb. 7, 2008, for Nested Bowls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to containers for storing andshipping food and, more particularly, pertains to nesting containers andcontainer assemblies for maintaining separation of two or more products,such as dry food components and wet food components, during packaging,storage and shipment.

BACKGROUND

Food products are often packaged in packaging to be shipped and storedon a shelf or at a retailer. The food may be purchased by a consumer whounwraps or opens the package to consume and enjoy the food. Food itemshaving a relatively high moisture content, such as chili or salsa, forexample, may be provided within a container. Similarly, dry food items,such as crackers or chips, for example, may also be provided within aseparate container. Providing food products, such as the chips and thesalsa, in separate, individual packages requires more shelf space andpackaging. Further, selling individually packaged food items may lead toa consumer buying one of the food items from a competitor, thusresulting in lost sales.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative container assemblies for thestorage of both wet and dry food items within a compact package.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a container assembly includes an outercontainer and an inner container. The outer container includes an outercontainer wall extending upwardly from an outer container base. Theouter container wall transitions into a ledge extending outwardly fromthe outer container wall. The inner container includes an innercontainer wall extending upwardly from an inner container base andtransitioning into a support flange. When the container assembly isassembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon theledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removablynested within the outer container.

According to another embodiment, a container assembly includes an outercontainer and an inner container. The outer container includes an outercontainer wall extending upwardly from an outer container base. Theouter container wall transitions into a ledge extending outwardly fromthe outer container wall. The inner container includes an innercontainer wall extending upwardly from an inner container base and acircumferentially extending inner container neck extending upwardly fromthe inner container wall and terminating at a support flange. When thecontainer assembly is assembled, the support flange of the innercontainer rests upon the ledge of the outer container such that theinner container is removably nested within the outer container.

According to another embodiment, a container assembly includes an outercontainer and an inner container. The outer container includes an outercontainer wall extending upwardly from an outer container base andtransitioning into an outwardly extending ledge. The ledge transitionsinto a circumferentially extending outer container neck. The innercontainer includes an inner container wall extending from an innercontainer base and transitioning into a shoulder, a circumferentiallyextending inner container neck extending inwardly from the shoulder andtransitioning into a support flange, and a seal coupled to the supportflange. When the container assembly is assembled, the support flangerests upon the ledge of the outer container such that the innercontainer is removably nested within the neck of the outer container inan inverted position with respect to the outer container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the inventions defined by theclaims. Moreover, the individual features of the drawings will be morefully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description. Thefollowing detailed description of specific embodiments can be bestunderstood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary container assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary outer container accordingto one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a top view of an exemplary outer container according to oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary outer containeraccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1E is a perspective view of an exemplary inner container accordingto one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1F is a top view of an exemplary inner container according to oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1G. is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary inner containeraccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary container assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary container assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is a side view of an exemplary outer container according to oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2D is a side view of an exemplary inner container according to oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1A, embodiments of the present disclosurerelate generally to containers and container assemblies and, moreparticularly, containers and assemblies to keep food components orproducts contained within separate during packaging, shipment andstorage. Particular embodiments of the container assembly may generallycomprise a plurality of containers. According to some embodiments,container assemblies may comprise a first container containing a firstfood component and a second container containing a second foodcomponent. The separated food components may be mixed together prior toconsumption, if desired.

As will be discussed herein, the second container (i.e., the innercontainer) may be nested within the first container (i.e., the outercontainer). The first container may comprise a retaining surface orledge that is configured to support a corresponding retaining surface orsupport flange located on the second container such that the secondcontainer is retained or nested within the first container. Althoughexemplary embodiments described herein may comprise two containers, itis contemplated that embodiments of the present disclosure may comprisemore than two containers.

As used herein, food components may comprise wet and/or dry food items.Exemplary food component products may include, but are not limited to,chips with sauces, meat dips with chips, oatmeal with fruit toppings,potatoes with flavorings, yogurts with toppings, noodles with toppings,and meats with vegetables or other side dishes. Embodiments of thepresent disclosure may hold or contain any combination of food componentproducts in which separate storage and/or packaging is desirable toenhance or maximize flavor, freshness or other qualities, and which thenmay be combined for consumption. Although embodiments may hold orcontain food component products that are combined for consumption, it iscontemplated that containers described herein may also hold foodcomponent products that need not necessarily be combined forconsumption, or products that are not intended for consumption.

Referring now to the exemplary container assembly illustrated in FIGS.1A-1G, a first or outer container 20, which is illustrated as anexemplary cup or bowl, may have a generally frustum configuration with agenerally flat circular shaped outer container base 24. An outercontainer wall 32 may extend upwardly from the perimeter of the base 24of the outer container 20. As illustrated, the outer container wall 32may taper inwardly from an upper portion of the outer container 20 tothe base 24. According to some embodiments, the outer container 20 mayfurther have a slightly concave center section 28 within the base 24 asviewed from the bottom. It is noted that the outer container 20 of someembodiments may not comprise a concave center section 28. It is alsocontemplated that the outer container 20 of some embodiments may not beof a generally frustum configuration and/or have a base 24 that is notcircular (e.g., rectangular, elliptical). Generally, the outer container20 may have a retaining structure or ledge 100 configured to retain aninner container 60 within the outer container 20 (described hereinbelow).

More specifically, referring to the particular embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1B-1D, the outer container wall 32 may transition into acircumferential ledge 100. A circumferentially extending outer containerneck 104 may extend from the ledge 100 and transition into an outer rim112 that extends outwardly from the ledge 100. According to someembodiments, the outer container wall 32 may comprises a perimeter shelf48. A portion 40 of the outer container wall may extend upwardly fromthe perimeter shelf 48 and transition into the ledge 100. According toother embodiments, the outer container wall 32 may not include aperimeter shelf 48.

A second or inner container 60, illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1E-1G, mayalso have a generally frustum configuration corresponding with theconfiguration of the outer container 20. The inner container 60 may havea generally flat circular shaped inner container base 64 having aslightly concave center section 68 as viewed from the bottom. It isnoted that the inner container 60 of some embodiments may not comprise aconcave center section 68. It is also contemplated that the innercontainer 60 of some embodiments may not be of a generally frustumconfiguration and/or have a base 64 that is not circular (e.g.,rectangular, elliptical, etc).

An inner container wall 72 may extend upwardly from the perimeter of theinner container base 64 such that the inner container wall 72 tapersfrom an upper portion of the inner container 60 to the inner containerbase 64. Similar to the outer container 20, the inner container 60 mayhave a circumferentially extending inner container neck 80. The innercontainer wall 72 may transition into a shoulder 88. The shoulder 88 mayextend outwardly from the inner container wall 72, and the innercontainer neck 80 may extend upwardly and transition into an outwardlyextending support flange 120. The inner container neck 80 may extendinwardly toward the support flange 120 at an angle with respect to theouter container wall 32 such that friction between the inner containerneck 80 and outer container wall 32 may be minimized during nesting anddenesting. According to other embodiments, the inner container wall 72may transition directly into the support flange 120 without innercontainer neck 80 and shoulder 88.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the support flange 120 of the inner container 60is configured to correspond to the ledge 100 of the outer container 20such that when the inner container 60 is placed in the outer container20 (i.e., when the container assembly 10 is assembled), the supportflange 120 rests upon the ledge 100. As illustrated by the exemplarycontainer assembly 10 in FIG. 1A, the inner container 60 may be nestedwithin the outer container 20 such that a first food component may bestored within the outer container 20 in an outer container productstorage area 22 and a second food component may be stored within theinner container 60 in an inner container product storage area 26. Assuch, the two food components may be separated during packaging,shipment and storage. Additionally, dividers may be positioned withinthe storage areas 22 and 26 to create additional storage compartmentstherein. The consumer may then remove the inner container 60 from theouter container 20 and empty the contents of the inner container 60 intothe outer container 20 or vice versa.

One or both containers 20 and 60 may be molded of suitable flexibleplastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or more rigid plasticmaterials. One or both containers 20 and 60 may be formed of heatresistant microwavable materials to enable the food components to beheated in a microwave oven.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D, another exemplary embodiment of thecontainer assembly 200 generally comprises a plurality of containers.Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C an exemplary outer container 220 has agenerally frustum configuration with a generally flat circular shapedouter container base 224 having a slightly concave center section 228 asviewed from the bottom. A circumferential outer container wall 232 mayextend upwardly from the perimeter of the outer container base 224 suchthat the outer container wall 232 tapers from an upper portion to thebase 224. According to some embodiments, the circumferential outercontainer wall 232 may transition into an outwardly extending ledge 248.A circumferentially extending outer container neck 240 may extendupwardly from the ledge 248. The outer container neck 240 may transitioninto an additional outwardly extending ledge 256 from which anadditional circumferentially extending outer container neck 252 mayextend. The additional outer container neck 252 may then transition intoan outwardly extending circumferential outer rim 290. Although FIGS.2A-2C illustrate an outer container 220 having two necks 240, 252, someembodiments may comprise only one circumferential neck and ledge (e.g.,neck 240 and ledge 248 or neck 252 and ledge 256).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2D, an inner container 260 may alsohave a generally frustum configuration with a generally flat circularshaped inner container base 264, having a slightly concave centersection 268 as viewed from the bottom. A circumferential inner containerwall 272 may extend from the perimeter of the inner container base 264such that the inner container wall 272 tapers toward the base 264. Thecircumferential inner container wall 272 of the inner container 260 maytransition into an outwardly extending ledge or shoulder 288. Acircumferentially extending inner container neck 280 may extend from theshoulder 288 to an outwardly extending circumferential support flange320. According to some embodiment, the inner container neck 280 mayextend toward the support flange 320 at an angle such that thecircumferential inner container neck 280 bends slightly inward withrespect to the outer container neck 240 and/or outer container neck 252.A seal may be coupled to the support flange 320. According to otherembodiments, the inner container wall 272 may transition directly intothe support flange 320, thereby eliminating the inner container neck 280and the shoulder 288.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the circumferential support flange 320 of theinner container 260 is configured to correspond with the circumferentialledge 248 of the outer container 220 such that when the inner container260 is placed in the outer container 220 in an inverted position (i.e.,when the container assembly 200 is assembled), the circumferentialsupport flange 320 rests on the outwardly extending ledge 248. Thecircumferential support flange 320 may also be of a diameter such thatit rests on the ledge or shelf 256 formed by the additional outercontainer neck 252. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the outer container 220may be sealed with a heat seal 400, which may also comprise a pull tab410 for removal of the seal 400 from the outer container 220.

As previously stated, the containers and their similar equivalents thathave been described herein need not be cylindrical or of frustumconfiguration, but may be oval or polygonal in configuration. Moreover,it will be understood that the containers can range in size and depth sothat when assembled, containers of different interior volume can beestablished. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the inner container isprevented from substantial lateral movement, however, it is generallyfree to move upward.

In addition, any number of containers can be utilized and contain anynumber of sealing members, including lids between or enclosing thecontainers. For example, the nested containers may be heat sealed suchthat the inner container is sealed to the outer container and thenprovided with a lid. In an alternative embodiment, the nested containersmay be clip sealed and then lidded with a shrink band to provide tamperevidence and ameliorate food safety concerns. In yet another alternativeembodiment, the nested containers may be individually sealed dependingupon the nature of the food components, and then provided with a lid.According to some embodiments, the inner and outer containers mayfunction as an eating vessel, thus facilitating portability for both theend user who consumes the food components and intermediaries who maypackage or ship the item, as well as flexibility in offering the foodcomponents, such as by vending machine. Pull tabs may also be includedin the container assembly to aid in the removal of the inner containeror containers from the assembly. Because the two containers (or in otherembodiments, more than two containers) are nested, the overall assemblyis compact and uses less shelf and storage space.

The foregoing description of the various embodiments and principles ofthe inventions has been presented for the purpose of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Moreover, although many inventive aspects have been presented, suchaspects need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations ofinventive aspects are possible in light of the various embodimentsprovided above. Accordingly, the above description is intended toembrace all possible alternatives, modifications, combinations andvariations that have been discussed or suggested herein, as well asothers that fall within the principles, spirit, and broad scope of thevarious inventions as defined by the claims.

It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the presentinvention being “configured” to embody a particular property, orfunction in a particular manner, are structural recitations as opposedto recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references hereinto the manner in which a component is “configured” denotes an existingphysical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as adefinite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specificembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, althoughsome aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferredor particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the presentinvention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of theinvention.

1. A container assembly comprising: an outer container comprising anouter container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base,the outer container wall transitioning into a ledge extending outwardlyfrom the outer container wall; and an inner container comprising aninner container wall extending from an inner container base andtransitioning into a support flange, wherein when the container assemblyis assembled, the support flange of the inner container rests upon theledge of the outer container such that the inner container is removablynested within the outer container.
 2. The container assembly as claimedin claim 1 wherein the outer container further comprises acircumferentially extending neck extending from the ledge.
 3. Thecontainer assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inner container isnested within the circumferentially extending neck.
 4. The containerassembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer container comprises anouter rim extending outwardly from the circumferentially extending neck.5. A container assembly comprising: an outer container comprising anouter container wall extending upwardly from an outer container base,the outer container wall transitioning into a ledge extending outwardlyfrom the outer container wall; and an inner container comprising aninner container wall extending upwardly from an inner container base,and a circumferentially extending inner container neck extendingupwardly from the inner container wall and terminating at a supportflange, wherein when the container assembly is assembled, the supportflange of the inner container rests upon the ledge of the outercontainer such that the inner container is removably nested within theouter container.
 6. The container assembly as claimed in claim 5 whereinthe inner container neck extends inwardly with respect to the outercontainer wall when the container assembly is assembled.
 7. Thecontainer assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer containerfurther comprises an outer rim extending outwardly from the neck.
 8. Thecontainer assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the inner containerfurther comprises an inner container seal removably coupled to thesupport flange and the container assembly further comprises a lidremovably coupled to the outer rim.
 9. The container assembly as claimedin claim 8 wherein the outer container further comprises an outercontainer seal removably coupled to the outer rim and positioned underthe lid.
 10. The container assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein thecontainer assembly further comprises a pull tab coupled to the outerrim.
 11. The container assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein: the outercontainer wall further comprises a perimeter shelf; the inner containerneck further comprises a perimeter shoulder; and the perimeter shoulderremovably rests on the perimeter shelf of the outer container.
 12. Thecontainer assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the outer containerand inner container bases are circularly shaped, the outer containerwall tapers from the perimeter shelf to the outer container base, andthe inner container wall tapers from the perimeter shoulder to the outercontainer base.
 13. The container assembly as claimed in claim 5wherein: the inner container is removably nested within the outercontainer such that a product storage area is defined by the innercontainer base, the outer container base and the outer container wall;and the product storage area maintains a first product and the innercontainer maintains a second product.
 14. A container assemblycomprising: an outer container comprising an outer container wallextending upwardly from an outer container base and transitioning intoan outwardly extending ledge, the ledge transitioning into acircumferentially extending outer container neck; and an inner containercomprising an inner container wall extending from an inner containerbase and transitioning into a shoulder, a circumferentially extendinginner container neck extending inwardly from the shoulder andtransitioning into a support flange, and a seal coupled to the supportflange, wherein the support flange rests upon the ledge of the outercontainer such that the inner container is removably nested within theneck of the outer container in an inverted position with respect to theouter container.
 15. The container assembly as claimed in claim 14wherein the outer container and inner container bases are circularlyshaped, the outer container wall tapers from the ledge to the outercontainer base, and the inner container wall tapers from the shoulder tothe outer container base.
 16. The container assembly as claimed in claim14 wherein: the inner container is removably nested within the outercontainer such that a product storage area is defined by the seal of theinner container, the outer container base and the outer container wall;and the product storage area maintains a first product and the innercontainer maintains a second product.
 17. The container assembly asclaimed in claim 14 wherein the outer container further comprises anouter rim extending outwardly from the outer container neck and thecontainer assembly further comprises a lid coupled to the outer rim. 18.The container assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the outercontainer further comprises an additional circumferentially extendingouter container neck extending outwardly from an additional ledge. 19.The container assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the outercontainer neck transitions into the additional ledge.